In order to issue you visa Russian consulate/embassy will ask you for certain number of documents. (more you can read Russian Visa Requirements section) Most of these documents you have already or it will be easy to get one, except invitation from Russia.

The invitation, visa support, travel voucher, travel confirmation, or any other name it might be called is a standardized document issued by the part which invites you to Russia. This is a mandatory document to get your visa processed!

There are different types of visa exists. The invitation you submit to the consulate will determine what visa you will get. For example if you need tourist visa you will be asked for tourist invitation, incase you want business you will be required for business one and so on.

You can find more detailed inforamtion about Visa Types and Entry Requirements in the corresponding sections.

Tourist Invitation Letter can be issued by a Russian travel agency or by a company or organisation authorized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).  It is the cheapest and easiest one to get. Technically speaking, it is a receipt from the travel agency confirming that you paid for services "provided", and the reservation confirmation is a confirmation for the consulate.  

Tourist Invitation Letter always is issued for no more then 30 days with one or max 2 entries to Russia. It can be obtained from a Russian tourist agency and/or hotel, registered with the Department of Consular Services of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Each agency is issued a special its own "tour/group reference number". It is a four digit number. (our travel agency has all licence and accreditation are needed by the law of Russia and can be present upon to your request.)  

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Business Invitation Letter allows you to obtain visa for up to 12 months (not possible with tourist visa) and enter/exit Russia multiple times. Originally, business invitation and business visas are designated for people, who intend to do business in Russia, meet with business counterparts, attend a conference/expo, sign a contract, and get involved in related activities. Business invitation does not imply a work authorization – you need WORK visa for legal work authorization. However, it can be used by people who need to stay in Russia more then one month or eneter the country multiple number of times for others reason apart from business one. Business invitations are issued by the Passport and Visa Department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues special telexes instead of paper invitation letters. The visa supports can be obtained on the basis of request from registered Business Company or Travel Agency to the above mentioned government authorities. An inviting firm fills a standard form asking designated government body to issue BUSINESS letter of invitation for you, pays an official filling fee, and received an actual invitation letter in few days/weeks. Technically speaking,Business visa invitation is an official document confirming that you're invited by an agency to visit Russia and engage in Business meetings. It will always cost more then regular tourist invitation.

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You can also get a work permit in Russia and apply for a special work visa. This can only be done if you get an official employment contract in Russia with a company that has quotas to employ foreigners. Finally, you can find a language school or a university in Russia and become a student there, student visas allow longer stays.